Elevator control system



L. J. GUAY ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 31, 1948 i i 5 8 2 m 4. 8 5 a w LIT z INVENTOR.

- LEOPOLD J. GUAY BYZ a ATTORNEY 5, 1950 L. J. GUAY ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 31, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. LEOPOLD J. GUAY ATTORNEY 7 5, 1950 L. J. GUAY ELEVATOR comm. SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 31, 1945 IN V EN TOR. LEOPOLD J. GUAY ATTORNEY 5, 1950 L. J. GUAY summon comm. sysmu Filed Aug. 31, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. LEOPOLD J. GUAY ATTORNEY 1950 L. J. GUAY ELEVATOR com'aoz. sysma 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 31, 1948 NM UDN INVENTOR. LEOPOLD J. GUAY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Leopold J. Guay, Flushing, N. Y.

Application August 31, 1948, Serial No. 47,091

22 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in control systems for elevators, and has for an object the provision of an automatic system for maintaining predetermined spaced intervals between the levels of the cars other than at the bottom or top floors, particularly in buildings having a large number of elevators and heavy passenger traffic.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for preventing congestion of elevator cars at any levels in the elevator shafts while they are traveling in either direction.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in an elevator system, of instrumentalities corelated with the movement of the cars in both directions at all times for controlling the elevators so as to increase the efliciency of the entire system by eliminating all lost motion and duplication of efiort.

Another object of the invention is the provi' sion of a plurality of sets of instrumentalities including on and off photo-electric cells and projection or exciting lamps, one set for each elevator; each set being moved along a predetermined path in definite time relation to the movement of its elevator, whereby the exciting lamp of one elevator passing over the on or off photo-electric cell of another elevator will cause an impulse to be delivered to the by-pass relay of the latter elevator.

With present elevator systems, it is common knowledge that many times two or more elevators going in the same direction stop at a given floor at about the same time. he direction lights of these elevators on that floor light up, respective to the time they stop, showing the direction to the prospective passengers. This confuses them as to which elevator to enter and often they will take an elevator that is discharging passengers and which should not pick up passengers, o they might enter diiferent elevators and consequently slow down the service.

My new and improved system will eliminate this by automatically bypassing the bypass relays of all elevators, except the one which will stop at that floor for the purpose of picking up passengers, and if another elevator stops at the same floor to discharge passengers, the signal light of the first car will o out and the prospective passengers, if any, will he directed to move toward the second elevator to arrive at that floor, which in turn will give the first elevator a chance to clear the second elevator so that the latter may receive passengers.

'It is also known that frequently, many elevators are congested at some levels in the elevator shafts and they are manually separated by the starter on the ground floor. This method is very inefiicient because it is beyond human control to "separate them evenly when such congestion occurs at two or more levels at one time. This results in loss of time for prospective passengers,

irre ular service, and it raises the cost of operation both for electricity and manpower.

In my new and improved system, the separation of the elevator cars is not based on the time of travel of the elevators, but instead is based on maintaining a substantially even spacing apart of the elevators in the shafts and maintaining them in substantially such spacings, except at the tops and the bottoms of the shafts.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the specification and the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which are merely given by way of example to carry out the invention:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a plurality of mech anisms, each moving in definite timed relation to the movement of a different car in the elevator shaft, one mechanism being moved in timed relation to one car, another in timed relation to another car, etc.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the mechanisms, as seen along the lines 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of a set of instrumentalities for advancing a moving arm in one direction when the car is traveling up the shaft and in the opposite direction when the car is movingdown the shaft;

Figure 4 is an elevation of a portion of one of the moving arms showing mechanism for increasing its length when the car associated therewith is moving in one direction and. for decreasing its length when the car is moving in the opposite direction;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation, taken along the lines 55 of Figure 4, showing further details of the moving arm;

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram, showing the circuits employed in each of the mechanisms shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of the sources of electronic currents, which are interconnected with the circuits shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an elevator cam actuating one of the limit switches.

Referring first to Figure 1, my new and improved elevator control system includes a plurality of moving an arm assemblies, designated generally by the numerals 2!, 22 and 23. One of these arm assemblies is provided for each elevator and is moved in time with the movement of the elevator car with which it is associated, in one direction when the car is descending, and in the opposite direction when the car is ascending. Although these arm assemblies and the mechanisms for moving them are identical, they have been given diiferent numeralsin order to clarify the description of the operation.

The arm assembly 20 includes a sleeve 24 which is journaled on a vertical shaft 25 and which rests on a thrust bearing 26 mounted on. the. fixed shaft 25. Secured to the sleeve 24 is an arm 2'5. The arm 27, to one side of the sleeve 2A,.oarries a counterweight 28. On the other side Qf. the. sleeve 24, the arm has an elongated channel 25 formed therein and on the extreme left end-ofjthe. arm, as seen in Figure lathe channel 29 has restrictions 3.5: and. 3 I. formed. therein to accommo date an extension of amovable; member positioned in the channel 29.. For securingtherollers and 35 in the; channel, isan overhanging strip 35 and for securing the rollers 31 and. 38 in the channel, an overhanging strip 45. is pro vided. These strips are secured: to the channel by mea-ns ofscrews 4|. Secured to. or formed in tegral with the.- block. 34 is an: extension. 42- which engages the rollers 32 and, Hand which extends toward the left, as. seen in. Figures; 1, 2* and 4:.

The extension, 42., as may'best. beseen in. F ure arries an. arcuate support. 43., The. extension. 42 has-anzelongated centralslot 44 formed therein. leavin the: extension. substantially hter in Weight: andivet stronger...

Referring a ain. to Figure 4*. the block. memher'ei h 'sp oedparallel bosses. 46 ex ending laterally therefrom; Thesebosses have aligned holes formedthereirr to; accommodate abolt 4-1;

Mounted on the arm 21, to the left of the sleeve 24 are solenoids J1 and J2. These solenoids are in alignment with each. otherand carry a. common plunger 48'. Secured to. the plunger 48' at a; point. intermediate the-ends thereof-is; a bracket is which: has a depending extension 58. The roller end ofitheextension 5.0.. has a hole formed therein through'which the bolt 41 also passes.

In my system, for convenience,.I energize the solenoid Jr when the: can associated: with that arm is traveling upwardly and; I energize the solenoid J2 when. thecarJis" travelingdownwardly. The arcuate. support 43 carriesexcitinglamps and photo-electric cells which cooperate; with; other exciting lamps and/r photo-electric" cells carriedby others of said arms; and these areeinone relative position on the armwhen the car-associated. with that: arm is traveling in one directionand they-- are in another relative-position when the car associated with: that; arm is: traveling in; opposite direction, as will presentlybedescribed herein.

The support 43 carries;- the: following equipment: an exciting lamp E1 which; mightbe-termed the. up exciting lamp: a second exciting lamp E2 which might: be; termed the down excitin lamp; a photo tube D1 for controlling the up direction;on" relays; a; photo tube B2; for controlling the down direction: on relay; a photo tube F1 for controlling the up. direction. off

integral foot plates 54 and 55, respectively bolted to a frame member 56 by means of bolts 51. The boss 5! may carry set screws 58 which engage the shaft 25 and steady the structure.

Extending toward the left, as seen in Figure and omitted from Figure 2 for the sake of clarity, is an arm 59, which may also be formed integral with the boss 5|. Secured to the arm 59 by means of bolts 5| are spaced bracket members 55, between which are. mounted solenoids C1 and C: which aresecured to the bracket members by means of screws 52. Also secured to the arm as by th e screws 5| is an extension 63 having an integral. foot. plate 54 which is secured to the frame member 65 by means of bolts 65.

Securedto the sleeve 24 is a sector 66, having a hubportion. 61 embracing the sleeve and secured thereto by means of screws 68. This sector, as be. seen in Figure 3, has a series of notches with slots therebetween numbered from 1 to 12 and representing that thebuilding in. which itis used has twelve floors. It the. building; had fewer floors, the number of notches would correspondto the number of floors whichwould be less.

It will be noted that these. notches: are numbered.

1 to-12 in a. clockwise direction, and in apparatus it would be. moved, in a counter-clock Wise direction, in time with the arrival of: the eleva r car with which. it; is. associated at. the

corresponding floor as' the; car is moving-inanupi direction, for. example, when. the car reaches the fourth floor, the. solenoid Q1- (through mocha?- nismto be presently described) has moved or advanoed the-sector. in. steps, the last notch engaged. by said: mechamsm. being; number 4:. When. the

car is at the sixth floor, notch number 6 is. engauged. by the. mechanism, etc...

The sleeve Le. alsohas secured thereto in spaced.-

relation to the sector 55, a secondsector' l0, haviing. a. hub: portion 69 embracing the: sleeve and secured thereto by means ofscrews H. The sec torsfifi and 75, in addition tobeing spaced apart on'the sleeve axially, are oppositely disposed angularly as may be seen in Figure. 3-.

solenoidcz in; a clockwise direction (as will pres'-- ently be; described) is moved in time with the movement of the car in the: down direction. This means that. Whenthe car. is at the twelfth floor, the'number l2. notch is engaged}. when car. is at. the seventh floor, the number 7 notch is engaged, etc;

Since the mechanisms actuated by the solenoids Grand C2 are identical, only one of them isdescribed indetail and the-corresponding elements in the two are given the same numerals Referring to Figure 3 the solenoid has a plunger 1 2 which reciprocates in the interior. bore Ti" thereon The lower end; oil the. solenoid has aligned lugsi i formed thereonbetween which. a pawl member; iii-extends. These lugs and the pawl member have aligned. holes therethrough anda clevis pin 1'6 forms a; pivotal support for the pawl member, and normally the pawl. member bears against the bottom face-of the plunger 72. and is so held by a spring 11, the. lower end of whichengages a cotter pin'TB in the pawlmember 5, the. upper end. ofwhich engages: a. cotter. pin; '53. ina guide bar 80, which. is. secured to. theplunger- 12 in spaced relation to the lower. end;

thereof.

The guide bar has a bearing hole therein which. engages a vertical guide rod.8l which is The notches. in sector 10 facein the.- opposite direction, and

they are numbered 1 to 12 in a clockwise direction, although this sector, when moved by its carried on the solenoid head 82 and projects downwardly parallel to the plunger I2. The

guide rod 8| has an angular portion 83 which forms a stop defining the lowest position of the plunger. Between the guide bar 80 and the head 82 is a spring 84 which cushions the action of the plunger I2 and insures its return to its normal position after the solenoid winding is deenergized.

Spaced apart from and parallel to the plunger I2 is a bar 85, the lower end of which is bifurcated and pivotally connected to the pawl mem ber 15 by means of a pivot pin 86 passing through aligned holes in the bifurcation and in the pawl I5. Spaced link members 81 are pivotally connected to the upper end of the bar 85 by means of a pivot pin 88, and the link members 81 are pivotally connected to the plunger I2 by means of a pivot pin 89 extending through suitable holes therein. Arcuate clearance spaces, one of which is shown at 90, in the plunger, provide clearance spaces for the movement of the link members.

The bar 85 is of such length that when its upper end encounters the head 82, the pawl I has moved or advanced the sector, which it actuates, one notch each time the solenoid is energized.

When the solenoid is de-energized, the plunger returns to its normal position defined by the stop 83 and while so doing, the pawl ratchets over the next notch below (which is the one which it will actuate next) and assumes the position shown in Figure'3 wherein its end clears all'of the notches, and permits them to move past it in either direction.

Now, as to how the impulses are initiated for energizing the solenoid, refer to Figure 8. The elevator car, shown fragmentarily at 5|, has secured thereto a cam member 92 supported by brackets 93 and 94. In the elevator shaft in the path of travel of the car is a plurality of switch members, such as the switch member 85, one such switch member being provided for each floor in each elevator column. These switch members exist in elevator columns now and are called limit switches.

Referring now to Figure 6, which shows the circuit diagrams of my system, it will be noted that the array of twelve limit switches is so connected that the switches are each connected in parallel from a conductor 86 to a conductor 81. The conductor 85 is connected to the negative side of a source of current, and the conductor 0? is connected to a branch conductor 98 connected to one terminal of the winding of each solenoid C1 and C2.

A conductor 89 leads from the positive side of said source to a bus bar I00 in the motor magnetic direction control IOI (which is standard equipment on existing elevators). This bus bar is connected to a contact in the up section of the control IOI, and'is also connected to a contact in the down section of said control. The contact in the up section, corresponding to the one referred to above, is connected via a wire I02 to the other end of the winding of the solenoid C1 (up). The corresponding contact in the "down section of the control ml is connected via a wire I03 to the other terminal of the solenoid C2.

Thus, it will be evident that as an elevator moves up or down in the shaft, the limit switches are sequentially actuated and a series of impulses is delivered to the winding of the solenoid C1 when the elevator is ascending, or to the solenoid C: when the elevator is descending.

Each impulse received by either solenoid causesits plunger to move upwardly, as seen in Figure 3, and consequently the sector associated with that solenoid is advanced one notch. For example, for each impulse received by the solenoid C1, as the elevator is ascending,,the pawl member I5 advances the sector 66 in .a counter-clockwise. direction one notch, and consequently, the arm 21, for example, is rotated about the shaft 25 one step in a counter-clockwise direction for each impulse received by the solenoid C1; thus, the arm 21 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction in definite relationwith the movement of the elevator, as it ascends in the shaft. Even though the car .moves continuously up the elevator shaft, the arm is moved in steps ,or increments in time with that movement. When the elevator is descending, the impulses are delivered to the solenoid C2 and its pawl'advances the sector I0 in a clockwise direction and moves the arm 2! in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above.

Referring to the circuit diagram, Figure 6, the motor magnetic direction control, which is standard equipment on theelevator, and which is indicated diagrammatically at l0l in Figure 6,. is in the position shown in the drawing, with they switch arm I04 moved downwardly and with the switch. arm I05 moved upward y, when the car .is descending, and when the car is ascending, the

switch arm I05 is moved downwardly and the switch arm I04 is moved upwardly.

Now, in the first instance, that is to say, when the car is moving downwardly, the switch blade I06 connects its-cooperative contacts together,

so that the impulses, instituted bv the limit switches 95 in the elevator shaft, as the elevator moves along, are delivered to the solenoid C2. This circuit may be traced on the diagram as follows: from the positive terminal of the source of current I0! via the conductor 99 to the crossconnector I00, thence via the blade I06 to the conductor I03 which leads directly to one terminal of the so enoid C2, continuing from the other terminal of the solenoid C2 via the crossconnection 98 and thence via the wire 8'! to the limit switches and thence via-the conduct-or 66 to the negative side of the source I 01.

When the car is traveling upwardly in the elevator shaft, the switch arm I05 of the control IIII is moved downwardly and the switch arm I04 is moved upwardly, and the circuit may be,

traced as follows: from the positive side of the source I01 via the conductor 99 tothe cro s-connection I00 and thence via the switch blade I08 to the conductor I02 which leads directlv to one terminal of the solenoid C1. From the other terminal, the circuit continues via the wire 68, the conductor 91, the limit switchesand thence via the cond ctor 96 to the negative side of the source I01.

Continuing with the description of Figure 6, the solenoids J1 and J2 have corresponding terminals interconnected by a conductor The other end of this conductor is connected to the negative side of a source of current l I I. The other terminal of the solenoid J1 is connected via a conductor II2 to a contact in the up section of the magnetic direction control I 0!, which cooperates with switch blade I I3. The other contact cooperating with the switch blade I I3 is connected via cross wire H4 to-a contact in the down section of the control -'IOI which is contacted by a switch blade I-I-5. The other contact I09 to i which one end ofa conductor H0 is connected.

im the; dum 'seeotmss the control IiIH which:

cooperates with: the switch. blades. I-.I:',v is: con-.- nectedivia': a: wire; t1 .$.='to tne1o.ther* terminal ofthe solenoid J2;

The cross wire: I ..I:4i; is.connected: via: awire: Il to; thepositive'sideofitthezsources. ltIgt, .sothattwhen the contro'l I.fl I-.: is iirthei: position with its. switch arm I'M moved. downwardly,,.the: circuit to the. solenoid J 2;. which: the? down solenoid,v may be? traced as foltowsr trams. the negative side. of." the source lettt andwi'asltheconductor II0 to the.

cross-connect :1": Hi9}: thence. to" one terminal ofl the solenoid. Jig. their, from. the other terminal Of'Jz and-via: therconducton HIiJto-the;contactiand via; the. switch blade N to the; cross connection; I I'4i'and thence? via the onduc-tor Hi1 to thepositive: side or the: source HT.

Now,v with. the switch; arm. i05 moved down! wardly inithea'up section-citric: control I'0 I the circuit-for the solenoid i Ji. maybe: traced as follows: fromthcnegativrezsidetof the source IIJI via the conductor I I-lite the cross conductor I09 andv thence to one-terminal'of 11 then, fromthe' other terminal of J1-',.vi'a the" conductor H211 to a contact, which is then contacted by a. switch blade I I3 and thence to the: cross: conductor I14 and via the conductor I11 to the positive: side: of thesource: I"-I"I". Thus. it? will be seem that. whenever the motonmagnetic direction control I II-I oithe:

elevator isshiftedsmthatthe: switch: arm I 64 in the down? section thereof closes. its" contacts,

current will be supplied.tothe solenoid Jr; on the from: the source? HEI to -the'- solenoid Jr and thisalways occurs 2' when the. elevator is ascending;

The motor: magnetic: direction control IOI controlsthe connections to the photo tubes and the excitingl'amps; forexa'mple; the exciting lamps its other' end conn'ectedi'to' -the' other'common ter minal-s of the;v exciting; lamps: E1, so: that when theswitch arm roam the up section of the con.- tro'l" I101 i'sdownz. CIIITI'E'Ilf DiS' supplied. to the excitinglamps l-Jn The. wire- IIS is:also' connected; to' one set of common terminals. of. the? exciting lamps E2. and the other: common? terminalsor? these excitinglamps are connected together and connected: via: a: wire I253 to the r other." contact; with which the switchbl ade. cooperates. so that; when the: switcharm= {0.4 of the. control- Hi I is: dowm. the exciting;

lamps are supplied? with current from the source" I'Mk.v

The photo, tubes- F1; are connected via. a wire-- 212 to a, switclr'conta-ct. in.v the up section of the.

control. mt with: which the blade- I 28 onv th switcharm. cooncrates:v The other contact with; which; the switch. blade I28.- cooperates. is

connected by cross-wirei292 to a contact with which: the blade lacm. the down section of the control? ml: cooperates:- A wire: I34. has one endo nneeted. to: the: cross-wire In and. the other;

A wire" I25 has one end connectedto the othercontact cooperating with the? switch blade" I24, and. has:

end terminates in the diagram Figure fi, atBbs which means that it is connected'to a wire I32; in Figure 7, which is also: marked 132. This wireconnects'through a-condenser I33 to the midpointof a-potentiometer- I34; one end-ofwhich is con nected to the cathode I35 of the amplifier tube- I36, and theotherend of which is connected to the high voltage winding I3 7 of a transformer I38. connection I40, which is labeled B3 and which is intended to be connected to the end of a wire I41, which is a1so'labeled=Bs;in Figure-6. The wire I'GI connects toone'terminal oi'a solenoid I42 which urges the selective bypass relay M3 to the left; or off direction; as seen in Figure 6i The other end of the solenoid I42 is connected via" a wire I44", which is labeled B1,'to a wire- I 45; in Figure 7 (which is also labeled B1"), andthence via a meten I46 and a wire I41 to the otherend of the high voltage winding I37 ofthe' transformer I38; The other common terminals of photo tubes F1 are connected via a wire I 48 to a branch wire I49, to, which the wire I44" is connected.

The down direction off photo tubes Fz have their common terminals on one side connected via a wire I50 to the junction of the wires I48 and I49, so that the return circuit of the phototubes F2 is common with the return circuit of the-photo tubes F1. The common terminals on the other side of the photo tubesFz are, connected via a;

wire I5I to a contact which is. contacted by the switch blade I39 onthe. arm I04 when thecontrol IN is thrown in the down direction. This? completes the circuit which, in efiect; connects I5 Land I29 together, so that the circuit continues from I29 via the wire I3I to B2, on Figure 6, and thence to B2, on Figure 7, and via the wire I32 to the grid of the tube I36 and via the the midpoint of the pocondenser I33 to tentiometer,, just as described above in connection with the photo tubes F1, so that when. the motor magnetic direction control IOI is in the down position, the photo tubes F2 are connected".

to the amplifier tube I'36,-and when the control IN is thrown to the up position, the photo. tubes F1 are connected to the. amplifier tube I36.

The. up direction on photo; tubes D1. and the down direction.on photo tubes. Dz. allhave. one side thereof. connected in common and interconnected via wires. I52. and. I53,v respectively,. to. a wire I54, which connects to one terminal of. the on solenoid I55, of the selective bypass. relay. The branch wire. liiiconnects tothe wire I54. and is labeledv A1 inFig-ure. 6.

Referring now to Figure '7', a wire I5. 'I,.connected to a meter. I58,v has. its free end also labeledfAfl and is; connected. to the end.A1 of the wire. I 56. A wire {59. isconnectedto the re;- turn endof. the high. voltage. winding [.69. oi. a, transformer IBI.

The. other common terminals of the.up. diw rection on photo tubes D1 are connected in common andare, connected via a wire I62 to. a. contact whichis engaged by the switch blade, I63 on the arm I of the motor magnetic direction. control Iii-I. The other contact with which the. blade I63 cooperates, is-connected via a cross wirer I64 to acontact which cooperateswith theswitch blade I55 on the arm I94 0f the control IIHt. A, wire !66 has one end connected to the cross wire I fi i'and itsv o-theriendislabeled A2 in'Figure 6;. and is connected to a-wire I51, shown in Figure '7, andalso labeled.A2. This. wire connectstothe grid of: an amplifier tube I 68; and is alsoconnectedz.

The plate I39 of the tube I36 has a wire nected to a tap on the winding lea.

via condenser I69 to the midpoint of a potentiometer I 10.

tube I36 is also connected to a tap on the winding I31 and the cathode IH of the tube IE8 is con- The' primaries of the transformers I38 and IEI are connected in parallel and are connected via a switch I12 to a source of current I13. The plate of the tube I68 has one end of a wire I14 connected thereto. The other end of this wire is designated as IKA3.I

Referring back to Figure 6, a wire I15, also labeled A3, is connected to the other side of the solenoid winding IE of the selective bypass relay, so that when the motor magnetic direction control IN is shifted to the down position, any

: light shining on the down direction on photo tubes D3, causes'the solenoid I55 to be energized, and therefore effects the shifting of the selective bypass relay I43 to the on position. Now, when the direction control IOI is thrown tothe up position, any light shining on the up direction on photo tubes will effect the energization of the solenoid I55 and shift the selective bypass relay I43 to the on position.

Contrasted with this, when the control IOI is in the down position, any light shining on the 'down direction off photo tubes F2 W111 eiiect the energization of the solenoid I42 and shift the selective bypass relay I43 to the off position. Likewise, when the control IOI is in the up position, any light falling on the up direction off photo tubes F1 will effect the energizatio-n of the solenoid I42 and shift the selective bypass relay I43 to the off position.

Referring to Figure 2, the following description of the up and down positions of the sectors 43 and the exciting lamps and photo tubes carried thereby, is now given to show the effects produced by the circuits described in Figures 6 and 7, when the motor magnetic direction control IOI is in the down position and when it is in the up position. When the control IIII, in

Figure 6, is in the down position (the position shown in solid lines in Figure 6) 'the solenoid J2 is energized, with the result that the arm 42 carrying the sector 43 is moved to the right, and all cars which are descending will have their corresponding sectors 43 moving on concentric paths about the axis 25 on a short radius. At the same time, circuits are completed to supply energy to the exciting lamp E2 and the circuits between the photo cell F2 and the solenoid I42 of the bypass of the elevators is going to fast and overtakes one or more of the others, and the selective bypass relay of the shaft in which it or they are moving is thrown to an off position if the photo tube F2 receives light or it is thrown to the on position, if and when the photo tube D2 receives light. When the motor magnetic direction control IN is thrown to the "up position, that is to say, with the switch blades carried by the arm I04 raised out of contact with their cooperating contacts and with the switch arm I05 moved downwardly, so that its blades cooperate with their cooperating contacts, the solenoid J'1 is energized, with the result that the arm 42a carrylng the sector 43a is moved outwardly, so that its radius about the center of the shaft 25 is substantially increased. As this occurs, the exciting lamp E1 is supplied energy from a source of current and circuits are completed betweeen the photo tube F1 and the solenoid I42 on the selective bypass relay H3 and circuits are also completed between the photo tube D1 and the solenoid I55 of the selective bypass relay I43. The circuits to the exciting lamp E2 and the circuits of the photo tubes F2 and D2 are disabled.

The selective bypass relay, as will be noted in Figure 6, has a pair of contacts for the ofi position. One of these contacts is connected via a wire I15, which is connected to one side of the source I20. The common wire IIS for the exciting lamps E1 and E2 is connected in series with a pair of contacts I10, which are normally closed so that in effect the wire I I9 is connected to the plus side of the source I20.

The other contact of the relay I43 is connected via a wire I11 to one terminal of the winding I19 of a relay I18. The other terminal of the winding I19 is connected by a wire I to the wire I20 which leads to the negative side of the source I20.

A switch I8I is connected from the positive side of the source I20 to the wire I15 and a second switch I82 is connected in the same manner. The switch I8I might represent the operators bypass switchin the elevator car and the switch I82 might represent a bypass switch for the starter to use on the ground floor.

Whenever the contacts of the relay I43 or either of the switches I8I or I82 are closed, a winding I19 of the relay I18 is energized, thereby attracting the armature I83 and opening the contact points I16, disabling the return circuit II9 of the exciting lamps E1 and E2.

The switches I8I and I82 are consequently manual controls for bypassing and the relay I43 'is an automatic control for bypassing which is effective when the off photo cells F1 or F2 for one car receive light from the exciting lamp moving in unison with the movement of another car going in another direction. This causes the solenoid I42 to be energized, thereby moving the armature to the off position with the result that cleared the mechanism moving in unison with any other car in that path, its photo tube D receives light from one of the other exciting lamps and the solenoid I55 is energized, thereby shifting the selective bypass relay to the on position, which opens the oil position contacts.

This de-energizes the winding I19 of the relay .I18 and allows the contacts I16 to close again;

thus, the car that was bypassed is back in service and its exciting lamp is again burning.

Bridging the wires 96 and 91, in addition to the 'limiting switches II2, is a pushbutton switch I85, by means of which the starter may step the apparatus forward to bring it in synchronism asea-soe ill! with its car, in case it (gets 401311] of synchronifsm. jEBl-iismushbutton is efiect-ive in either idirection, the .(iil'ection depending upon lthelposition of vthe ,motor lnagnetic direction control 1031, and "1.lS11&11y,1SllCh adjustments or checks :are efiected either when the car is at the top floor-or the bottom-floor, and an example of its use is as follows: Suppose the moving arm of a given car is one step out of synchronism with the .car and is eit-her :at the top floor or ma n flOOI- e :starter ma push the button I185 any number o times; .for example, suppose-he pushes it a half dozen times; the arm, whichwas supposed to be "one step .outeof synchronism, would advance that one step upon the firste-push and the other im- :pulses supplied to the solenoid C101 02 would have no effect because the arm, after {moving the one step, is at the end of its movement that r direction, and since the car is also at theend of its travel in that direction, synchronism is env su-red. 7

;:Now, since the sectors ,of all of the elevators which are ascending move about the .longer 'radius, interaction between .theexciting lamp E1 TDDIOIIG of the elevators and the photo cells F1 and/or D1 is efiected, if one or more of vtheelevators is going too slow and gets behind or if one or more of the elevators is going too fast and overtakes one vor more of the others, and the selective bypassrelay of the-shaft in which it prthey are moving is thrown to an off position if the ,photo tube .Fl receives-li ht or it is thrown to the on position, if and when the gnhoto tube Di'receives light.

In Figure 1, the moving arm assembly itand the moving arm assembly 2 L are shown with their :exciting lamps and photo cells shifted to the up position and theqassemblies 2-2 and 23 have iheirlphoto cells and exciting lamps shifted to the down position, so'that'thetrelation between the assemblies moving in unison withtwo up cars may-be seen and so that the relation of the assemblies controlled by two down cars may te-s en.

gFrom the above, it will beseen that the purpose of the on photo tubes D1 and D2, regardlessof whether the elevator is ascending or deascending, is to -keep the car No. 1 in service until the exciting lamp E of elevator No.2, for example, passes over-the off photo tube F of the No, ,1 car. As soon as this occurs, car No. -1 is bypassed and its :exciting lamp E. No. 1 car) is "cutoff at-the same time so'that it will have no effect :on the photo tubes F and D of any of the 'other cars, and therefore, it will not go back :into service again until the on :photo tube D receives light from the excitinglamp of the No. 2 car of any of the other cars, going in the same *d-irection, the exciting lamps of which may shine upon the on photo tube D.

The action of photo tube 13, therefore, rprevents an elevator that has been tbypa'ssed from remaining out of service after it has cleared the elevator that bypassed it, or :has cleared any -other elevator car in that bank :for a distance, for example, of three floors, so'tha-tit will perform the most work possible without :creating a confusion of cars at any level in the bank.

:Every car has its 'excitingalamp on arid "the apparatus at anequivalent distan'cew'of three floors ahead of the location'of its respective'car in the direction in which it isrgoing. This dis- "tance depends on the traffic in the building or the particular bank in which'thecar *is located and it may be adjusted for either greater equivalent-distances or less {equivalent distances.

The exciting lamp of any car can affect the ;ph'oto tubes D and :F of any of the cars which are traveling in the same direction, so long as said car is in service ,(not ,byepassed) From the above, it will be evident that the elevators are traveling in eitherldirection at the proper space intervals, there is no interaction between the exciting lamps and the photo cells and the system operates normally. However, if one elevator, for example, is overtaking the one which precedes it, and the preceding one is destined .to stop at ai-given floor, due. to the pressing of the button in the hall by a prospective passenger, the selective bypass relay for the-overtaking elevator is automatically thrown to 'the ofi' position, with the result that the operator "of that car (1085 not get a signal to stop at that floor, nor does the indicating light for that shaft on the hall light up to confuse the prospective passenger, because the relay H8 also controls the .supplyof current to the hall lights. ,Apair-of :contacts .186 are mounted on arms which are connected to the positive side of the source and to a conductor l8! which leads .to the hall .lights, and .a :conductor I88 is the return circuitlor the hall lights and this is connected to the wire [2| which is in turn connected to the negative side of the sourceof current.

When the winding We of the relay 11:53 is 'en- :ergized the manner described above that is to say, by the shifting of the relay 143 to the foiTKposi-tion, or by actuating the operators or the starters switch I81 or 182, the farm 4183 which is attracted by the :core of the winding iii- 3 is moved to the right, as seen in :Figure :6, :an'dtas described above, but in addition to breaking the contacts I'll} which interrupts the *supply of current to the exciting lamps E1 andJEz, the contacts 1% are also broken, therebyidepriving the hall lights of current from source 1-20.

Itis preferable that the potentiometers t3! and 1653 be So set that in the event that both windings of the bypass control relay M3 receive ecurrent, the "foff winding i fiishall receive more current than that received :by the on winding i'55,'so that the off winding-will actuate-the bypass control relay whenever this occurs. It is obvious that if desired, the on windingcan becaused tolreceive more current than the ofi winding when the Opposite eiiect .is desired, 'sby adjusting said ;.petentiometers accordin ly.

Although I have hereinrshown and-described :by way of exampleyone embodiment of .my new and improved elevator control systemitis ob- -Vi0us'th'atmany changes 'znay'be made inzthe arrangements herein shownfiand described within the scope of the following :claims.

Whatiis claimed is l. aicontrol systemriortelevatorsns movable support for and means to move thessaeain deiini'te time relation with the movement of .each

--eleva:tor, the paths of travelrof :each 'of-isaidi supports being parallel to :andicoex-tensivetvi- 'h each ether, photo-electric means and excitingzlamp .ineans carried (511 each support andarranged so that the exciting lanip means "on any support may shine on the photo-electric nieans a on ;':any

*ether-oiisaidfsupports which comes in its orange, bypassing mea ns :on each elevator, and 530M69- tions between thephoto-electric'means oneach support and the bypassing ;means on its scarre- ,-s;ponding elevator for actuating said bypassing rmieans. l

2'. In a control system for elevators, a movable support for and means to move the same in definite time relation with the movement of each elevator, the paths of travel of each of said supports being parallel to and coextensive with each other, photo-electric means and exciting lamp means carried on each support and effective when the elevator with which it corresponds is ascending, other photo-electric means and exciting lamp means carried on each support and effective when its corresponding elevator is descending, bypassing means on each elevator, and connections between the bypassing means of each elevator and both sets of photo-electric means on its corresponding support, so that the bypassing means on any elevator is actuated by the photo-electric means when the exciting lamp means of any other elevator moving in the same direction illuminates the same.

3. The method of cof'ztrolling elevatorsby individual light photo-electric means exercising control over the bypass means on each elevator car, which consists of moving said exciting lamp means and photo-electric means along coextensive paths in time with the movement of each elevator car, the step of amplifying currents generated in the photo-electric means of any car by virtue of light shining thereon from the light means of another car, and the final step of causing'amplified current to actuate the bypassing t'uated bypass means on each elevator car, which consists of moving said light means and photoelectric means along coextensive paths in time with the movement of each elevator car, amplifying currents generated in the photo-electric means of any car by light received from the light means or" another car, and causing the amplified current to actuate the bypassing means of the car whose photo-electric means received said last light.

5. In a control system for elevators, a movable support for and means to move the same in time relation with the movement of each elevator car, the paths of travel of each of said supports being parallel to and coextensive with each other, other means to move said supports in a direction angular with respect to said first movement,

one set of photo-electric means and exciting lamp means also carried on each support in spaced relation to said first set, whereby one of the sets on each arm moves in one zone and the other sets on each arm move in a second zone, the means in one of the sets being made efiective when the dir ction switch of its elevator is thrown to the descending position and the other of said sets being made efiective when the direction switch is thrown to the ascend-' .movement of each elevator car with which it is associated, amplifying means connected to each photo-electric means and interconnected with said bypassing means, whereby amplified currents generated in the photo-electric means of any car by light received from the light means of another car effects the actuation of the bypassing means of the car whose photo-electric means received said last light.

7. In a control system for elevators, a plurality of supports movable along paths which are parallel to and coextensive with each other, one of said supports being provided for each elevator car, individual electrical means connected to each of said supports for moving the same, means engaged by each car for controlling the electrical means of the support with which it is provided, exciting lamp means and photo-electric means carried on each support, electro-magnetically actuated bypassing means on each elevator car, amplifier means having its input connected to receive and amplify currents generated in the photo-electric means on one of said cars by light received from the exciting lamp of another of said cars, and connections between the output of said amplifier for delivering amplified currents to the bypassing means of the car whose photoelectric means received said last light.

8. In a control system forelevators, a plurality of supports movable along paths which are parallel to and coextensive to each other, one of said supports being provided for each elevator car, individual electrical means operatively connected to each of said supports, individual means for each car for controlling the electrical means of the support with which it is provided, said individual means being in turn controlled by the movement of the elevator car with which it is associated, exciting lamp means and photo-electric means carried on each support, elcctro-magnetically actuated bypassing means on each elevator car, amplifier means having its input connected to receive and amplify currents generated in the photo-electric means on one of said cars by light received from the exciting lamp means of another of said cars, and connections between the output of said amplifier for delivering amplified currents to the bypassing means of the car whose photo-electric means received said last light.

9. In a control system for elevators, a plurality of supports movable along paths which are parallel to and coextensive with each other, one of said supports being provided for each elevator car, individual means for each car for controlling the electrical means of the support with which it is provided, said individual means being in turn controlled by the movement Of the elevator car with which it is associated, each of said supports carrying one set comprised of exciting lamp means and photo-electric means which is made effective when the elevator car with which it is associated is ascending, and a second like set spaced apart from said first set and made effective when said last mentioned car is descending, electro-magnetically actuated bypassing means on each elevator car, amplifier means having its input adapted to receive and amplify currents generated in the photo-electric means of one of said sets, corresponding to one of said cars, by light received from the exciting lamp means of a. corresponding set on another of said supports controlled by another of said cars going in the same direction, and connections between the outputof said amplifier and the bypassing received said'last mentioned light.

:10. in control system iorielevators a motor magnetic direction control tcr reach elevator car, aplurality of snpportsmovahle alongpathswhich are parallel Ito and YCOBXAtBRSiV-E each lather, one of said supports being :pnorfiidedsfot each-elevator car, individual zelectrical means-'operatively connected to each of .said. supports fzfior moving the same along one of said maths, individual means for each car and aactuated thereby rztor controlling the electrical -mieans of the support with which .i-t is provided,;.each of .said supports carrying one :set comprised :of exciting lamp means and photo-electric means, and a :second .like set spaced apart from the :firs-t ,set, saidsets ibeing interconnected with said --motcr magnetic direction control, said first set being made efiective when the elevator car which it .is

.associated is asciending, and =i',-ls1e;second-.set being the amplifier and the"'bypassing"means of the car whose photoelectric'means received said last mentioned. light, said last connections also being controlledby'said motorLmagneticdirection cnntrol.

' '11. In a control system for elevators, a motor magnetic "direction control "for *each elevator car, aplural-i'tyof supports movable along paths which are parallel to "and coextensive with each *other,

one of said supports being provided for-eadhelevator'ear, individual-electrical means op'erativel-y connected toeachcf saidsuppcrts for-moving the same along one =of--'sa"id paths, individual ior each car actuated thereby tor-control mg the d'l'ectr-ical means of the support with'vih ich provided, each of said --supp'orts carrying one :set

comprised o f exciting lamp means and photoelectric means, and a second like set spacedlzapart from ithefirstiset, sets beingdnternonnected with said imn'tor direction con'trol so that theznrs-t set is made effectivel /vixen therelevator car with which .it is associated ascending and the second :set :is "Inade eiiective when the last mentioned icaris descendmg, means con- --nected to each of said supports ;for moving laterally in one direction when .said :firstset is made effective: and in the opposite direction whenlsaid second set is made effective, electric-magnetically actuated bypassing means on each ,ielevator 211, amplifier means having connections tc-rsaid .motor magnetic =direction =control and adapted fitO receive and amplify cur-rents generated in -=the photo-electric s-rneans of one :of said sets connespending to one of said cars, by light received from the exciting I-lamp means of a corresponding set on one .of said supports controlled Joy another .of said cars movinginthe ame-direction,

and. connections between the outputio'f the amplifler and .thebypassing means .of the car whose photo -electric means .receivedsaid last mentioned .light, .said last connections ialsoloeing controlled by said motor magnetic direction control.

.12. In a .control system .iore'levators, individual photo-electric means and excitinglamp means gene remote from and moved'in time with'each le- "vator and "arranged so that the exciting lam-p means moving in time with "any elevator may shine upon the photo-electric means moved in time with "any other elevator as they =move m line with each other, and circuits interconnected with said photo-electric means and the bypassing means on at least one of said-elevators for bypassing one of the elevators involved.

13. In 'acontrol system for elevators, a plurality of movable supports remote from said elevators and adapted to move along definite predetermined paths which are parallel to and coextensive with each-other, one support for each elevator of'a banlgmeans between each elevator and its corresponding support for moving said support in timed relation to its elevators movement, photoelectric means and exciting lamp means carried on each support and arranged so that the exciting lamp means on any of said supports may shine on the photo-electric means on any other of said supports which comes in its range, bypassing means on each elevator, and connections between the photo-electric means on each support 'and the bypassing means on its "corresponding elevators for actuating said bypassing means.

14. In a "cont-rolsystem for-elevators, a plurality of movable supports remote from said elevators and adapted to'move along definitepredetermined paths whichare parallel to and coextensive with each other, one support for each elevator of "a bank, means between each elevator "and its corresponding support for moving said support in timed relation to its-elevators movement, photoelectric 'means and "exciting lamp means carried on each "support and efiective when the elevator with which it "corresponds is ascending, other photo-electric means and exciting lamp means carried on each support and efiective when its corresponding elevator is descending, bypassing means on each elevator, and connections between the bypassing means of each elevator and both sets of photo-electric means on its corresponding support, so that the bypassing means on any elevator is actuated by the'photo electric means corresponding thereto when the exciting lamp means of any other elevator mov'ingin the same direction illuminates the same.

15. In a control system for elevators, a plurality of supports remote from the "elevator cars and movable on a "common axis, "individual means each controlled by the movement of "an associated elevator for moving a corresponding one of said supports on its axis, exciting lamp means and photo-electric means on each support, whereby'th'e exciting lamp means on one support may shine on the photo-electric means on another support, and circuits between'said last ph oto-elec- 'tric means and instrumentalities for efiecting controls remote from said supports.

16. In a control system for elevators, .aplurality of supports remote from the elevator cars and movable on a commonax'is in two directions, individual, means each controlled by the movement of an associated elevator car for rotating a. corresponding one of said supports on said axis in one direction whenthe carris ascending and in the opposite :d'irection'whensaid c'arfiis descending, exciting lamp means and photo-electric means on each support, wh'erebytheexcitinglamp means on nne support may shine on the photoele'ctr'ic'me'ans on another support "moving in the same direction, and :circuits between said "last photo-electric means and instrumentalities for :5 effecting contr'ols remote from said supports.

17. In a control system for elevators, a plurality of supports remote from the elevator cars and movable on a common axis in two directions, individual means each controlled by the movement of an associated elevator car for rotating a corresponding one of said supports on said axis in one direction when the car is ascending and in the opposite direction when said car is descending, exciting lamp means and photo-electric means on each support, each constituting a set,

a second set of exciting lamp means and photo electric means on each support in spaced-apart relation to the first set thereon, circuits between both sets on each support and the magnetic direction control of it corresponding elevator, electrically controlled means for and operatively connected to each support and electrically connected to the magnetic direction control of its associated elevator for decreasing the radius or" each support when its elevator is moving in the opposite direction, whereby the exciting lamp means of one set on one support may shine on the photoelectric means for the corresponding set on another support moving in the same direction, and circuits between said last photo-electric means and instrumental-ities remote from said supports.

18. In a control system for elevators, a movable support, the movement in a plane along a predetermined path of which is remotely controlled by an elevator, at least a second support moved along a plane coextensive with said first plane under control of a second elevator, photo-electric means carried on one of said supports, exciting lamp means on the other of said supports and facing in a direction to shine on said photoelectric means when it comes into registration therewith, and circuits between said photo-electric means and instrumentalities for efiecting controls remote from said supports.

19. In a control system for elevators, a plurality of supports remote from the elevator cars and movable along coextensive planes, individual means each controlled by the movement of an associated elevator for moving a corresponding one of said supports on its path, photo-electric means and exciting lamp means carried on each support, whereby the exciting lamp means on one support may shine on the photo-electric means on any other of said supports which moves into the range thereof, and circuits between each of said photo-electric means and instrumentalities for effecting controls remote from said supports.

20. In a control system for elevators, a movable support, the plane along a predetermined path of which is remotely controlled by an elevator,

ill

18 a second movable support moved along a plane coextensive with said first plane under control of a second elevator, photo-electric means and exciting lamp means positionably carried on each of said supports and each having two common positions thereon spaced apart from each other, magnetic means on each support for moving the photo-electric means and the exciting lamp means thereon into one or the other of said positions, a pair of circuits between each of said magnetic means and a source of current, one circuit of each pair being energized in time with the starting of its elevator car in one direction and the other being energized in time with the starting of its elevator in the opposite direction, and circuits between each of said photo-electric means and instrumentalities for effecting controls remote from said supports, whereby the exciting lamp means on one of said supports can only register with the photo-electric means on the other support and eflect when both said elevator cars are moving in the same direction.

21. A system according to claim 20, in which the predetermined paths of said movable supports are circular and in which the photo-electric means and exciting means on each support are movable from one radius to a longer radius and vice versa.

22. In a control system for elevators, a plurality of supports remote from the elevator cars and movable in circular paths on a common axis, individual means each controlled by the movement of an associated elevator for moving a corresponding one of said supports along said path on one radius when the car is moving in one direction and along a different radius when the car is moving in the opposite direction, exciting means and photo-electric means on each support, whereby the exciting means on supports corresponding to elevators moving in one direction may only shine on the photoelectric means on other supports corresponding to other elevators moving in the same direction, and circuits between said last photo-electric means and instrumentalities for efiecting controls remote from said supports.

LE'OPOLD J. GUAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,286,358 Larson Dec. 3, 1918 1,632,225 Grosvenor June 14, 1927 

